Search Results (2,239)

Deep marine shale reservoirs are controlled by multi-factor coupling effects, and the genetic mechanism of “sweet spots” exhibits strong complexity, leading to prominent difficulties in quantitative prediction and precise evaluation of sweet spots. Aiming at the problems of an unclear lithofacies-controlled sweet spot evolution law and insufficient accuracy of multi-parameter quantitative evaluation in traditional evaluation methods, this paper takes the Wufeng Formation and Long1 member of the Longmaxi Formation in the LZ block, Southern Sichuan, as the research object. Innovatively integrating machine learning (ML), grey correlation analysis (GRA), and three-dimensiona (3D) geological modeling technologies, a refined prediction model for reservoir sweet spot evaluation indicators under lithofacies constraint conditions is established, and a multi-parameter fusion quantitative evaluation method for deep marine shale gas sweet spots with high prediction accuracy is proposed. The results demonstrate that the LightGBM-based prediction model for sweet spot evaluation indicators achieved excellent performance. Based on a total of 380 preprocessed samples divided into training and test sets in a 7:3 ratio, the coefficient of determination (R²) of the model exceeded 0.9 in both the test and validation datasets. The “sweetness index”, a comprehensive evaluation index of reservoir sweet spots constructed via GRA-based multi-factor fusion, shows a correlation coefficient of 0.91 with respect to actual gas well production, presenting a high fitting degree. The 3D sweet spot geological model reveals that Class I sweet spots are mainly developed in the 1st to 3rd sub-layers of the Long1 member, while Class II sweet spots are distributed in the 5th and 6th sub-layers, which is highly consistent with the actual development law of the gas field. This study breaks through the limitations of single evaluation methods and weak lithofacies control consideration in traditional sweet spot evaluation and forms a set of innovative technical process integrating “precision prediction—multi-factor fusion—3D characterization”. It provides a new technical approach for efficient and accurate evaluation of deep marine shale reservoir sweet spots and has important guiding significance for the efficient development of shale gas. Full article

Tetrahymena pyriformis is biologically similar to Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, the parasite that causes “white spot disease” in fish. Because it has immune evasion genes and grows quickly, T. pyriformis serves as an ideal model for developing treatments against I. multifiliis and related parasites. This study tested water extracts from 10 traditional Chinese herbs against T. pyriformis and identified 5 with strong antiparasitic effects: Morus alba, Psoralea corylifolia, Sophora flavescens, Polygonum cuspidatum, and Pomegranate Peel. Combination tests showed that certain pairs, especially P. corylifolia with M. alba, worked together synergistically. When infected guppies were treated with this herbal combination at a concentration of 1.39 g/L (1:144 dilution), their 10-day survival rate reached 66.7%. Gill tissue analysis identified 577 genes with changed activity after treatment—228 increased and 349 decreased. These genes were linked to immune responses, metabolism, and cell processes. The key differentially expressed genes include those involved in the IL-17 signaling pathway, amino sugar metabolism, and the cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway. These results show that the herbal combination works by both directly killing parasites and boosting the fish’s immune system. This study provides a scientific basis for using natural herbal treatments as an eco-friendly way to control parasitic diseases in aquaculture. Full article

This study investigates the forward discount puzzle by examining the dynamic relationships among excess returns arising from interest rate parity deviations, interest rate differentials, and the USD/JPY exchange rate. The empirical analysis employs correlation analysis, the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) cointegration test, and variance decomposition together with impulse response functions derived from a Toda–Yamamoto augmented Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model, using data spanning January 2001 to September 2025. The correlation results indicate that the spot exchange rate is negatively related to both the swap rate and the interest rate differential. Impulse response analysis shows that the USD/JPY rate responds positively to swap rate shocks in the medium to long run, while responding negatively to interest rate differential shocks in the short run. Variance decomposition results are consistent with the impulse response analysis and underscore the dominant bilateral linkage between the exchange rate and the swap rate. The long-run ARDL estimates further reveal that the swap rate is positively associated with dollar appreciation, whereas both the interest rate differential and relative output are negatively related. Overall, although short-run arbitrage appears temporarily, the cointegration and dynamic results provide robust evidence that the forward discount puzzle persists for a substantial period rather than interest rate parity holding. Full article

This study investigates the synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial performance, and redox activity of sol–gel–derived TiO₂/TeO₂/CuO powders. The as-prepared gel with the nominal composition 80TiO₂/10TeO₂/10CuO was subjected to thermal treatment at 400 °C and 600 °C for 2 h, resulting in the formation of composite materials at both temperatures. By UV-Vis spectroscopy, it has been found that CuO is responsible for the red shifting of the absorption edge. The SEM-EDS analysis verified the elemental composition of the synthesized powders. The antimicrobial activity of the heat-treated powders was proved against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, representative Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria frequently associated with hospital-acquired infections and antibiotic resistance. At physiological pH, the 600 °C-treated sample exhibited strong prooxidant properties, supporting antimicrobial activity. At alkaline conditions, the nanomaterials were effective against superoxide radicals. The variation in oxidation with changes in pH is indicative of the potential for controlled application. Antimicrobial activity was assessed through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays and spot and luminescent tests, providing both quantitative and qualitative evaluations. Full article

Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) is a multifactorial disease process that encompasses diverse symptoms ranging from issues with storage and sensation to impaired emptying of the bladder. Furthermore, symptoms tend to worsen with age and other comorbidities and in men can also be influenced by changes to the prostate, making diagnosis and treatment difficult to manage. Environmental factors are thought to contribute to disease risk. In mice, previous work has found that developmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is capable of altering voiding function in offspring. However, the effects of PCB exposure in adulthood instead of development are not well known. Whether changes in voiding are a consequence of early or later life exposures remains an important area of study, as environmental chemicals and exposures can occur across the lifespan and can be mitigated. Here, we test whether PCB exposure in adulthood alters voiding or prostate morphology in male mice. C57Bl/6J adult male mice were exposed to the human-relevant MARBLES PCB mixture (0, 0.1, 1, and 6 mg/kg/d) orally daily for two months. Lower urinary tract function was then assessed through urodynamic testing including void spot assay, uroflowmetry, and anesthetized cystometry. Prostate lobes were collected for histology. The only change to voiding function was a reduction in void duration in the 6 versus 1 mg/kg/d PCB group but not to the vehicle control. Prostate, seminal vesicle, and testes wet weights were unchanged. However, PCB exposure reduced the number of Ki67-positive proliferating cells in the anterior and ventral prostate lobes only at the 1 mg/kg/d dose, with no change to caspase 3-positive cells or smooth muscle thickness. Together, these data indicate that 2-month exposure to PCBs in adult mice has little impact on voiding but is a sufficient exposure to produce changes in cell proliferation in the prostate. The mechanistic impacts of these changes remains to be investigated but could help better understand individual risk for LUTD. Full article

Before the American Heart Association introduced the cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic (CKM) syndrome concept in 2023, clinical care was largely organ-specific. This retrospective study analyzed diagnostic patterns and gaps in 406 patients with hypertension referred to and evaluated at the University Hospital Basel Hypertension Centre in 2017, 2019, or 2022 to identify blind spots in the assessment of cardio–kidney–liver–metabolic health. Electronic health records were used to assess CKM-relevant diagnostics, including lipid profiles, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), echocardiography, kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate: eGFR, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio: uACR), and hepatic assessment (Fib-4 score, abdominal ultrasound). Previously undetected conditions were identified according to contemporary criteria for dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease (CKD), suspected heart failure (HF), diabetes, and suspected metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Although 94% of participants had laboratory data, key CKM parameters were inconsistently assessed. Of the participants, 39% had neither NT-proBNP measurement nor echocardiography, and 27% lacked hepatic ultrasound or sufficient data for Fib-4 calculation. Previously unrecognized comorbidities were common (suspected HF 21%, CKD 6%, suspected MASLD 3%). Lipoprotein(a) testing increased from 0% in 2017 to 23.7% in 2022, indicating growing awareness. Despite specialized care, diagnostic fragmentation persisted, underlining the need for systematic, interdisciplinary screening and informing the design of prospective registries such as the Swiss CKLM Registry to integrate patient-centered cardio–kidney–liver–metabolic care. Full article

To investigate the influence of asymmetric support clearances (caused by manufacturing and assembly tolerances in practical engineering) on the fretting wear behavior of steam generator heat exchange tubes, this study focuses on 2.25Cr-1Mo alloy heat exchange tubes and 405 stainless steel anti-vibration bars. A high-precision impact wear test platform with adjustable bilateral clearances was designed, and its dynamic reliability was verified by theoretical calculations, finite element simulations and modal tests. An experimental model with asymmetric clearances (0.15 mm and 0.20 mm) was established to study the nonlinear contact force response and wear evolution under excitation frequencies of 60 Hz, 65 Hz and 70 Hz. The results show that asymmetric clearances induce two contact modes: high-frequency “quasi-static friction” on the small-clearance side and intermittent “collision-rebound-flight” impacts on the large-clearance side. The system exhibits a clear excitation instability threshold that shifts backward with increasing excitation frequency. The 0.20 mm side triggers dynamic instability, with wear volume and rate increasing explosively (106.2% and 41.36% at 65 Hz) beyond the threshold. Microscopic analysis reveals that the wear mechanism on the large-clearance side transitions from mild abrasive wear to severe fatigue delamination when crossing the threshold, with surface morphology deteriorating sharply from faint contact spots to extensive spalling craters. This study clarifies the energy distribution mechanism and identifies the large-clearance side as the core “trigger” for system instability and catastrophic failure, providing a theoretical basis for nuclear heat exchange tube monitoring and anti-vibration design. Full article

Plum pox virus (PPV) is one of the most destructive pathogens affecting stone fruit trees. It causes sharka disease and severe yield losses. The genetically modified plum cultivar ‘HoneySweet’ was developed to provide long-lasting resistance to PPV via RNA interference. Long-term field trials of ‘HoneySweet’ have been conducted in the Czech Republic since 2001, involving the artificial inoculation of the cultivar with PPV alone, and with apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) and prune dwarf virus (PDV) in combination. This study evaluates the impact of viral infection on tree growth after 24 years in the field. Growth parameters—trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) and canopy volume—were measured and analysed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test. The results show that infected trees exhibit significantly reduced growth compared to non-infected controls, with the strongest inhibition observed in trees inoculated with PPV + PDV + ACLSV. The presence of ACLSV had the most pronounced negative effect on growth, while PDV did not significantly influence tree vigour. These findings emphasise the importance of using virus-free rootstocks and certified planting material to prevent growth suppression in HoneySweet orchards. Full article

Pseudostellaria heterophylla, an important traditional medicinal plant in China, has suffered increasing yield and quality loss due to leaf spot disease in recent years. In this study, the causal agent was conclusively identified as Sclerotiophoma versabilis through detailed morphological characteristics and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS), the 28S large subunit of the nrDNA (LSU), RNA polymerase II (rpb2), and ß-tubulin (tub2) sequences. Pathogenicity tests fulfilled Koch’s postulates, thereby resolving previous taxonomic inconsistencies regarding this disease. The effects of environmental and nutritional factors on mycelial growth, conidial germination, and infection were systematically evaluated. Optimal mycelial growth occurred at 20–25 °C, pH 6–8, under continuous light. Optimal mycelial growth occurred at 20–25 °C, pH 6–8, under continuous light, while conidial germination was maximized at 20–25 °C and pH 6–7 under continuous light. Starch and glycine were identified as the most favorable carbon and nitrogen sources for the fungal mycelial growth, respectively. Infection assays indicated an incubation period of approximately 3 d and maximal disease development at moderate temperatures under low-light conditions, with 6 d-old cultures exhibiting the greatest infectivity. Microscopic observations revealed that S. versabilis penetrated host tissues directly or via stomata without forming specialized infection structures. These findings integrate taxonomic resolution with ecological and infection biology analyses, providing mechanistic insight into the environmental drivers of leaf spot epidemics and a scientific basis for disease-risk assessment and management in P. heterophylla production systems. Full article

Reservoir quality in shallow lacustrine-mixed siliciclastic–carbonate systems is commonly governed by mineral assemblages and diagenetic modification. Here we investigate the Neogene Youshashan Formation (Oil Groups III–V) in the Nanyishan area, western Qaidam Basin, to quantify mineralogical and diagenetic controls on pore systems and flow. We integrate whole-rock XRD and log-derived mineral profiles with thin-section/SEM petrography, NMR T2 spectra, mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP), and a water-drop test. Dissolution-related pores and dolomitization-related intercrystalline pores dominate the pore space, whereas cementation and clay-related filling/coating locally restrict pore throats and connectivity. Algal limestones (average porosity 23.17% and permeability 54.3 mD; MICP r50 = 0.085 μm) show better reservoir quality than dolomitic rocks (average porosity 17.24% and permeability 15.13 mD; MICP r50 = 0.039 μm), consistent with more effective pore throat networks. In Oil Group III (Well NQ2-6-2), higher dolomite content is generally associated with higher porosity but shows no systematic relationship with permeability, highlighting the primacy of connected pore throats. Water-drop behaviors (beading, semi-beading, infiltration) provide a rapid, semi-quantitative screening indicator when interpreted together with pore throat metrics, and support a four-class reservoir-typing scheme (Types I–III and non-reservoir) for sweet-spot identification in mixed lacustrine reservoirs. Full article

Background: Pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy (PPE) is a non-exudative entity within the pachychoroid disease spectrum characterized by increased choroidal thickness and isolated serous pigment epithelial detachment (PED) without subretinal fluid. Although photodynamic therapy (PDT) is established for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), its efficacy in isolated pachychoroid-related PED remains insufficiently defined, with available evidence limited to small case series. Purpose: This study aims to characterize symptomatic pachychoroid-related PED and evaluate anatomical and functional outcomes following half-dose PDT (hd-PDT), with additional analysis according to lesion localization and CSC history. Methods: This retrospective study included 34 eyes of 27 patients treated with hd-PDT between June 2022 and December 2024. PEDs were categorized as central (fovea-involving) or paramacular. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography parameters—central subfield thickness (CST), mean subfield thickness (MST), macular volume (MV), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and PED height—were assessed at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months. Treatment planning was based on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) findings. Statistical analyses employed non-parametric tests and generalized estimating equations. Results: Central lesions were associated with longer disease duration, worse baseline BCVA, and greater retinal thickness and PED height (p < 0.05). Complete PED resorption occurred in 79.4% of eyes at 1 month and 73.5% at 6 months (central: 86.3% and 81.8%; paramacular: 66.6% and 58.3%). Mean BCVA improved significantly from 0.22 ± 0.24 to 0.10 ± 0.16 logMAR at 6 months (p < 0.0001), with greater functional gain in central lesions. Significant reductions were observed in CST, MST, MV, and PED height, whereas SFCT remained stable. Better final BCVA correlated with younger age, shorter disease duration, smaller baseline retinal volume, smaller PDT spot size, and absence of CSC history. Non-responders had worse baseline BCVA, higher PED height, and larger treatment areas. No treatment-related complications were detected. Conclusions: Half-dose PDT was associated with favorable anatomical and functional outcomes in symptomatic pachychoroid-related PED, particularly in centrally located lesions. Baseline disease severity appeared to influence treatment response. Prospective studies with longer follow-up are warranted to confirm long-term efficacy and safety. Full article

This study addresses the challenge of through-hole defects in ZM6 cast magnesium alloy components by proposing an innovative repair strategy using ultrasonic-assisted Tungsten Inert Gas (U-TIG) welding. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the repaired joint were systematically characterized through optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and room-temperature tensile testing. The results indicate that, assisted by the ultrasonic energy field, the repair zone successfully reconstitutes a typical and optimized triple-phase microstructure: (1) the matrix: α-Mg solid solution (dark gray), supersaturated with Nd and Zr; (2) the strengthening phase: a eutectic Mg₁₂Nd phase (light gray), rich in Nd, distributed along grain boundaries acting as the primary strengthening component; (3) the grain refiner: dispersed Zr-rich particles (bright white spots), which effectively pin grain boundaries. Crucially, the application of ultrasound significantly refined the α-Mg grains and transformed the continuous network of the Mg₁₂Nd phase into a more fragmented and uniform dispersion. This refined microstructure synergistically integrates the strengthening mechanisms of solid solution, precipitation hardening, and grain refinement. Consequently, the repaired joint exhibits excellent mechanical properties, achieving over 90% of the base metal’s tensile strength and elongation at room temperature. This work not only validates the feasibility of U-TIG welding for repairing ZM6 alloys but also provides a solid theoretical foundation and a promising technical pathway for the in-service repair and remanufacturing of high-performance magnesium alloy components. Full article

A survey was carried out during 2023–2024, and 363 asymptomatic and symptomatic olive samples with deformed leaves, mosaic, and yellow spots were collected from different regions in Saudi Arabia. These samples were tested by ELISA against eight important olive viruses. To investigate the presence of these viruses in olive trees, PCR and RT-PCR techniques were employed using the virus-specific primers. The obtained results from serological tests indicated that 44.4% of the collected samples were found to be positive with at least one of the tested viruses. The most prevalent virus was OEGV (14.3%), followed by ArMV (11.9%), SLRSV (11.3%), CLRV (9.4%), TuYV (5%), TNV-D (4.4%), OMMV (3.6%), whereas OLV-1, OLV-2, CMV, TMV, OLV-3, OLYaV, and OLRSV were not positive in the tested samples. Single, as well as mixed infections, were observed in a number of samples with 9.4% and 34.7%, respectively. The nucleotide sequence analysis of PCR amplified fragments revealed 99.7–100% identity to OEGV, 95–99% to TuYV, 85–98% to OMMV, 83–93% to ArMV, 92–97% to CLRV, 84–98% to TNV-D, and 85–97% to SLRSV isolates, according to the pairwise nucleotide identity percentage calculated by SDT software. This is the first comprehensive survey to investigate the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship of seven olive viruses detected in olive trees in Saudi Arabia, which can provide the missing local epidemiological understanding. Full article

Zoonotic pathogens could persist in their environment and be introduced into the food-chain. With careful screening and selection, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) could be used as direct-fed microbials (DFMs) to control these pathogens in food animals. Previously isolated LAB (n = 250) were evaluated for inhibition against Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) and Salmonella enterica, using agar spot test. Tests revealed that LAB were more effective against Salmonella than STEC, with 67% showing excellent (>15 mm) inhibition. LAB (n = 65) exhibiting significant pathogen inhibition (zones > 10 mm) were tested for acid (pH: 2, 4, 5, 7) and bile (0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5%) tolerance, and biofilm-forming capabilities. About half of the tested LAB exhibited excellent to very good tolerance. All LAB formed biofilms, with 33% forming strong biofilms. LAB (n = 59) were also examined for susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics due to their intrinsic or acquired antibiotic resistance (AR), transferrable to pathogens. Only S. thermophilus S-2 showed susceptibility to all the antibiotics. The majority were susceptible to erythromycin (88%), followed by ampicillin (85%), clindamycin (64%), tetracycline (58%), vancomycin (44%), streptomycin (15%), and gentamicin (9%). Overall, LAB showed strong inhibition against pathogens, along with survival capabilities for environmental stress conditions, and could be considered for potential DFM applications. Full article

In the context of rapid urban tourism expansion and the growing emphasis on equitable and sustainable transport development, understanding how transport systems support different types of attractions has become increasingly important. This study investigates how attraction hierarchy and functional type interact with public transport accessibility to shape urban tourism patterns and equity. Whereas prior work emphasizes objective metrics, the alignment between perceived accessibility and actual transport conditions remains understudied. Using Wuhan’s A-rated and popular unrated attractions as a case, we have developed an innovative “ objective–perceived coupling framework that integrates GIS network analysis, travel cost matrix, non-parametric testing, and online comment text mining methods to examine how scenic spot levels (A-level and unrated popular scenic spots) and functional types interact with the public transportation system from both objective and perceptual dimensions. Results show: (1) A-rated attractions cluster in suburbs with low accessibility, while unrated sites concentrate centrally with high rail-bus connectivity, revealing a “high-grade–low-accessibility” mismatch. (2) Accessibility varies by type: natural sites are lowest, cultural/leisure venues intermediate, and comprehensive sites highest due to multimodal hub proximity. (3) Sentiment and topic analyses based on transport-related review content suggest that some A-rated attractions receive less favorable evaluations of access conditions (e.g., transfers, waiting, last-mile walking, wayfinding, and parking), whereas many popular unrated sites are evaluated more positively in these transport-specific aspects. (4) Quadrant analysis shows many highly rated attractions fall into a “low objective–low perceived” disadvantage, while most unrated ones exhibit strong objective–perceived coupling. These findings underscore structural imbalances among administrative grading, attraction function, and transit provision, offering evidence for optimizing public transport service to tourist attractions. They help optimize the spatial structure of urban tourism, improve resource allocation efficiency, guide differentiated scenic spot development strategies, and promote sustainable and experience-oriented urban tourism governance. Full article